<a title="Ford" href="http://www.ford.com" target="_blank">Ford</a> recently launched its first model entirely devoted to hybrids: the <a title="Ford CMAX Hybrid" href="http://www.ford.com/cars/cmax/" target="_blank">CMAX</a>. There is the non-plug-in CMAX hybrid, and the variety we just drove like a Humvee through an offroad course--the CMAX Energi plug-in hybrid. We took this polite little <a title="Inhabitat: plug-in hybrid" href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=plug-in+hybrid" target="_blank">plug-in hybrid</a> and put it through the motions to see if it really could handle real-life conditions. Keep reading to see our full review of the Ford CMAX Energi plug-in hybrid!

1

Ford CMAX Energi Cockpit

Inside you find great fit and finish, leather seats, a comfortable gearshift with optional manu-matic shifting, and lots of electronic goodies.

2

Ford CMAX Energi Front Corner

We took our tester across a swath of the worst winter dirt roads we could find, through the Michigan back woods, and over an iron bridge to ford a freezing river, just because.

3

Ford CMAX Energi Front Detail

From the front, the CMAX looks like any other 2013 Ford model, with some sporty looking foglights and multi-layered grille.

4

Ford CMAX Energi Side

We didn't quite manage to get mud on the roof, but the sides of our CMAX tester were nicely coated in Michigan March mud. Think of it as a spring facial for your hybrid.

5

Ford CMAX Energi Rear Quarter

The back of the CMAX is a hatch with automatic lift. Yup, mud back there too.

6

Ford CMAX Energi Badge

Mud. We kid, but the CMAX performed quite well considering the road conditions. It's not every plug-in hybrid that could handle being driven down a certain road test editor's insanely icy driveway.

7

Ford CMAX Energi Hatch

The battery takes up most of the cargo area, but there's enough room left over for groceries.

8

Ford CMAX Energi Cargo

Where is the charging cable? Always a good question when you need to plug in. Not back here. Keep looking.

9

Ford CMAX Energi Headlight

A nice looking headlight on a decent looking car. No complaints on appearance, though it won't knock your socks off with cute sportiness like a Hyundai Veloster.

10

Ford CMAX Energi Mirror

Here's a mark of quality. A nicely made side mirror with turn signal, solid casing, and all the modern trimmings.

11

Ford CMAX Energi Front Row

The CMAX has very nice seats for driver and all passengers. We were impressed with the quality inside, especially considering most automakers use this part of the car to skimp when they're trying to make a hybrid affordable. Very nicely done.

12

Ford CMAX Energi Front Seat

Contrast stitching, power adjustment. All the good stuff. This is a car that fits adults.

13

Ford CMAX Energi Driver Door

Another mark of quality in a car is a decently weighted driver door. Yes, you want to save as much weight as possible, but not if you're losing the sense that your car won't fall to pieces if you slam the door behind you in a rush.

14

Ford CMAX Energi Driver Door Controls

Electric everything. Again, nicely done.

15

Ford CMAX Energi Door Handle

These quality trim pieces are a holdover from other models. In cars built by companies that make nothing but green cars, these bits are much less sophisticated.

16

Ford CMAX Energi Instrument Cluster

On the left, there are a few menus for tracking fuel economy and the like. Nothing on the right but leaves and a help menu, though. Odd layout.

17

Ford CMAX Energi Fuel Economy

The only menu out of the several available that we found useful was this screen for fuel economy. You can track your electric range estimate and gas fuel economy on the same screen, so you'll probably just leave the menu on this page.

18

Ford CMAX Energi Steering Wheel

It has a steering wheel.

19

Ford CMAX Energi Start Button

But seriously, everything is nicely weighted and executed. Here is the nice little start button.

20

Ford CMAX Energi Nav Screen

It's a little tough to figure out how to switch between menus on the nav screen, but everything is touch operated and works well.

21

Ford CMAX Energi Navigation

The CMAX has a beautiful and bright nav screen with full navigation, satellite radio, et cetera et al.

22

Ford CMAX Energi Gear Shift HVAC

The HVAC is tucked behind the gear shifter. As mentioned before, the shifter has optional manu-matic operation, but we wouldn't recommend pushing this car too hard. It might seek revenge.

23

Ford CMAX Energi Center Console

12-volt plug for plugging things. Dual cupholders, but a hand brake a la small car.

24

Ford CMAX Energi Headliner

Here's the other nice part we haven't mentioned yet. The CMAX has a panoramic sunroof that reaches back the full length of the vehicle, operated by a nice little switch on the headliner.

25

Ford CMAX Energi Sunroof

We heart panoramic sunroofs. That is all.

26

Ford CMAX Energi Passenger Door

The passenger doors are just peachy, but we noticed the rear seats were a little narrow. Not a car for a big family.

27

Ford CMAX Energi Passenger Door Controls

Electric everything back here too.

28

Ford CMAX Energi Charger Storage

There it is! The charger cable fits under the floormats behind the driver's seat. We don't really like this arrangement as the cable has to be coiled just so to fit it back in this shallow compartment, but hey. We don't like any of the obscure cubbies automakers have come up with thus far to store charging cables in. It works.

29

Ford CMAX Energi Charging Port

We love love how Ford has made its charging ports open at the press of your finger so you don't have to hunt for the proper release button (plugin hybrid have gas caps too, so it gets frustrating pretty quickly when you're popping the wrong port). Also, that ring around the port lights up 1/4 of the way, 1/2, 3/4 or fully to show you at a glance if your car needs a charge when you turn off the engine/motor. Intuitive and awesome.

30

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Ford CMAX Energi Front

Ford recently launched its first model entirely devoted to hybrids: the CMAX. There is the non-plug-in CMAX hybrid, and the variety we just drove like a Humvee through an offroad course--the CMAX Energi plug-in hybrid. We took this polite little plug-in hybrid and put it through the motions to see if it really could handle real-life conditions. Keep reading to see our full review of the Ford CMAX Energi plug-in hybrid!